Fresh Shop: KarolinFelix Dream

Every day, our community grows in unexpected and delightful ways. For our Fresh Shops series, sellers who have been on Etsy for a mere handful of months or are awaiting their first sale introduce themselves. Here’s a warm welcome to all our newbies!

Hi, my name is Karolin and I was born in southern Poland in the shadow of the legendary Bald Mountain. I spent countless days outdoors, running through fields, lost in my own world. Back then, my grandma used to tell me stories about a little folk that would turn mischievous if a bowl of milk wasn’t left on the doorstep; stories about noises and light that could be heard and seen at the night of Sabbath at the edge of the Bald Mountain.

When I was old enough to wander in the woods and pick mushrooms and berries, I would pretend that I was Little Red Riding Hood lost in a forest, or that behind the nearest turn I would see a witch and her house.

Eventually, I had to leave that enchanted countryside to study architecture in a big city. I was away for a long time, only to realize that my creative spirit never left the mystic dreamland of my childhood. In my art you will find a bit of fairy tale, some folk influences and modern, functional simplicity. I also like to make strange illustrations, but that is a different story.

Creativity runs in the family. My mother used to design and sew her own clothes. It was a big struggle for her because she worked during the Socialist years and shops were empty. My father is a self-taught carpenter and inventor. They both made the KarolinFelixDream collection possible, participating in the design process and sharing the experience.

I always fancied product and interior design and thought about this collection for a long time. Some people start the design process by analyzing the function and adding form as a secondary matter; other people begin with form and then add a function. I always choose a third scenario: putting together form and function at the same time. I feel that’s the proper way, as both things matter equally. I don’t sketch my designs, but rather imagine the whole process. I know the properties of wood, fabric, and clay. I know the technology and possibilities of tools. When I’ve thought it through, there’s time for first prototypes and then tackling any unexpected problems. When all this work is done, there’s only one thing left — to show your creation to a big audience.

One of my favorite designs is my desktop Zen Garden set of building blocks. This idea came to me when I realized how much the grain of the wood resembles Japanese rock garden patterns. If you brush the surface of wooden block to remove soft phloem, you will get beautiful, enhanced texture. The set includes eight blocks in calm, neutral colors. There is pencil holder, little planters and vases, a paper weight cut like a gem, and a little house and candle holder. It’s meant to give a rest to your eyes and calm your mind. Also, it’s a perfect desk organizer.

I also love my wooden pendants, made from a rare, deformed juniper branch. Nature is amazing. Normally the juniper branch is quite plain, but in the Black Forest anything can happen; there’s more fungi, different shapes, shadows, and deformed wood.

So awesome to get to learn about you, Karolin! I've loved your shop since I first pounced upon it in May. It's grown so much! I hope you keep adding lovely things to it, and have wonderful success here on Etsy!

I love hearing the stories of entrepreneurs (and their parents) who struggled to reach their dreams while living under dictatorships and Communism. Lots of Americans don't realize how difficult it can be to make your dreams come true when you're truly struggling to meet your basic needs - food and a roof over your head. Besides, I'm a Polish mutt. Poles are so creative!

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@etsy: When Therese Lyons first attempted polymer clay art, it was love at first roll. Her newfound passion led her to create @enaandalbert, a jewelry label filled with colorful, textured complements. Learn more about her story on the Etsy Blog. Link in bio.